O’Reilly vs. Vermont…
Bill Lofy pens an Op-Ed in the Burlington Free Press regarding Bill O’Reilly’s war with the Vermont Legislature over Jessica’s Law…
UPDATE: Though dated today, this article is two weeks old and O’Reilly has already responded to it…
Rep. Lippert and many victims’ rights groups oppose the law because it is ineffective. Data from the U.S. Department of Justice show that 25-year minimums, by discouraging plea bargains, can actually undermine the chances of getting a conviction and increase the likelihood of a sex offender’s walking free without serving any time (many victims refuse to testify at trial, and the burden of proof is so onerous that offenders are often acquitted).
But facts won’t get in Bill O’Reilly’s way. On the May 14 program, O’Reilly was almost gleeful about the ambush. In a segment called “The Truth About Vermont,” O’Reilly accused Rep. Lippert of coddling sex offenders.
Why would Fox News target Bill Lippert? The answer is as simple as it is unsettling: Rep. Lippert is gay. As a leader in the effort to pass Vermont’s landmark civil union legislation a few years ago, Rep. Lippert has been a target of anti-gay vitriol for several years from people who rely on hateful and threatening rhetoric to promote their agenda.
Then I guess we better lighten up on those DWI laws also so drivers don’t try to flee the police rather than face the tough punishments now doled out.
Come to think of it; putting people away in prison for life for murder would certainly make them think about threatening the life of anyone testifying against them. We better rethink those harsh penalties also.
Comment by mark — May 30, 2007 @ 9:19 am
The whole story was about Lippert opposing Jessica’s law, while pushing through a transexual rights bill. That with the fact that there are other judges in Vermont that have given very light sentances for child molesters. I’m talking probation for a child rapist. Their just pissed because their backward ass thinking has been exposed. They don’t think these people should go to jail, they should go to rehab. Now, if you desriminate against a transexual, you should be drwn and quartered.
Comment by shannon20 — May 30, 2007 @ 11:04 am
Go get them Mr. Bill O’Reilly!!!
Comment by Noelle — May 30, 2007 @ 11:54 am
You people need some help I must say. Why is it that gun-slinging Republicans just don’t see anything the way it actually is. It’s always attack first without the proper facts. ‘Go Get them Bill O’Reilly’, and #2, please open your minds, just a tad.
It seems you both (and O’Reilly) would rather have the convict(s) released into public, because the facts actually point to such circumstances occurring as stated in the U.S. Department of Justice database. While we would like quick solutions to issues such as these, they are not always as EASY to solve as O’Reilly says they are. We are a country of laws.
People, please think before you speak.
Comment by Peoplepeople — May 30, 2007 @ 12:09 pm
Putting child rapists in jail really isn’t that difficult. Please explain why “it isn’t that easy” peoplepeople !! If Vermont could accomplish just that, BO would be on his way to another issue.
Comment by Jim — May 30, 2007 @ 12:46 pm
#4, it is you who needs to think. Are you not aware of Judge Cashman, and that other judge, who sentenced people who have REPEATEDLY raped children to probation? Why shouldn’t O’Reilly go after Vermont and its laws?
How can you possibly justify such a light sentence? And this is not a rhetorical question - please respond with an answer.
Comment by Missy — May 30, 2007 @ 12:54 pm
What a sad, pathetic excuse of a newspaper. Lippert’s sexual orientation has ZERO to do with O’Reilly’s stance on this issue. It’s about prosecuting child predators to the fullest extent of the law. Vermont isn’t interested in doing that.
Comment by bigred — May 30, 2007 @ 12:55 pm
#4 You need to get your facts from sources, not Bill O’Reilly who’s only contribution to society is to psychologically sedate individuals such as yourself into believing his ‘facts’ are always correct.
Pull your head out of the sand, and wake up, as there is always two sides to every story. The agenda you propagate is sad and seriously aberrated.
Again, now it seems you as well (and O’Reilly) would rather have the convict(s) released into public, because the facts actually point to such circumstances occurring as stated in the U.S. Department of Justice database.
Get the facts, and read them!
C’mon people
Comment by Peoplepeople — May 30, 2007 @ 2:13 pm
Correction…#6, replying from #4… You need to get your facts from sources, not Bill O’Reilly who’s only contribution to society is to psychologically sedate individuals such as yourself into believing his ‘facts’ are always correct.
Pull your head out of the sand, and wake up, as there is always two sides to every story. The agenda you propagate is sad and seriously aberrated.
Again, now it seems you as well (and O’Reilly) would rather have the convict(s) released into public, because the facts actually point to such circumstances occurring as stated in the U.S. Department of Justice database.
Get the facts, and read them!
C’mon people
Comment by Peoplepeople — May 30, 2007 @ 2:16 pm
Peoplepeople………………….HUH???? What is so difficult about prosecuting child rapists in Vermont? Is it more difficult there than in any other state? Not sure what you meant by ” it’s not always as easy to solve…. etc.
Comment by Jim — May 30, 2007 @ 2:41 pm
My gosh, can anyone understand that there is a U.S. Department of Justice report cited here with DATA/FACTS??? Bill O’Reilly is attacking the Rep. in Vermont because he has an agenda, as does FOX News. It’s not about the ‘victims’, but ratings. The U.S. Dept of Justice report is not only based on ‘Vermont’, BUT THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES! It’s not easy to prosecute these convicts ANYWHERE because the victims DO NOT testisfy against them among other things. I don’t understand what is so hard to understand about anyone understanding this? Rep. Lippert is merely saying that the law would actually do the EXACT OPPOSITE in many cases of what we all would want to see happen to these predators!!! A better LAW is perhaps needed, that is.
My gosh, people, people…come on here!
Comment by Peoplepeople — May 30, 2007 @ 3:38 pm
The judges in Vermont had the discretion to levy appropriate jail time for ALREADY convicted child rapists. The judges chose probation or very little jail time. That was the thrust of Bill’s reports. Not sure why that would draw big ratings. Seems Bill really does care about some of these issues.
Comment by Jim — May 30, 2007 @ 4:56 pm
I live in Vermont.
This is THE place to commit a crime.
Their idea of punishment is to take away your chocolate chip cookies and make you go to counselling.
O’Reilly is 110% right on.
Comment by graywolf — May 30, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
People, what the heck are you talking about?!
Bill is advocating Jessica’s Law… which give child rapists mandatory minimum sentences. Who’s talking about how tough it is to convict? Lippert refuses to put through this legislation, but then insists that his state is tough on child rapists. You’re not making any sense… just trying to find reasons to hate O’Reilly, no matter the situation.
Comment by ImNotBlue — May 31, 2007 @ 12:41 am